We have a patient who has been on our unit for months, who was found outside having been attacked. He is unable to discharge due to needing guardianship, which has been an excruciatingly long and difficult process.

Sammi has taken it upon herself to wash the patient's clothing, buy him necessary supplies such as underwear, belts, socks, and deodorant. She has also brought things he simply enjoys so that he can feel more human, such as movies. She has treated him with such love and compassion. While he is a patient who could simply be overlooked as another person with mental health issues who is a difficult discharge, she views him as a human who has a family, friends, and a past. She makes him feel seen and loved.

After no end in sight with attaining state guardianship for the patient, Sammi was able to locate the patient's brother, who is going to take guardianship of the patient. She truly changed this man's life. He was angry when he first got here. He is beloved on our unit now and so kind. I think Sammi's compassion for him is the reason this patient's future has hope. I can't think of a more deserving nurse.

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Sammi is the kind of nurse that every patient needs. She is patient, attentive, and has demonstrated repeatedly that she will go above and beyond for those in her care.

For example, a patient on her unit was admitted under unfortunate circumstances; he was essentially a John Doe found down and brought to the hospital. The patient had no known family, and he was unable to provide much information about familial whereabouts. This patient required placement (long-term) due to cognitive deficits and was on the unit for months and months. During his time at St Charles, Sammi made an incredible effort to ensure this patient was well cared for. She established a daily routine to provide consistency, showers, changing from PJs into clothes, took him outside to get some sunshine whenever possible, cut his hair, and took the patient’s laundry home to wash so he had clean clothes.

Sammi was his favorite person while at St Charles. Sammi even found a relative and was able to notify the patient's family that he was hospitalized after building a relationship with the patient and putting together his story.

On the day the patient was discharged to an adult foster home, Sammi took this patient out to lunch and personally assisted with transporting this patient to his new home. She still calls him to check on him.

Sammi is an exceptionally caring, invested, thoughtful, and diligent nurse who always goes above and beyond for her patients. It motivates me, as a fellow nurse, to act the same way. I have a hundred examples of how wonderful she is, but this is the most outstanding to date, which certainly warrants a DAISY Award!

Sammi, you're the best, and your patients are so, so lucky to have you!